Kines singles out youth as reason for optimism

COLLEGE STATION — Most coaches point to a young team as reason for concern springing into a season.

Not Texas A&M defensive coordinator Joe Kines. The 65-year-old Tasmanian Devil claims that’s one reason why his unit will be improved this season. If kickoff was tomorrow — and it almost is — the Aggies would start no less than seven underclassmen (six sophomores and a freshman) on defense.

“Our youth is one thing,” Kines said this week. “We’re young and enthusiastic. We’re running to the ball. We may be wrong sometimes, but we’re overlapping and causing some good things to happen.”

Kines, eligible for retirement this year, is the most enthusiastic, animated guy on the practice fields. Whether that translates to a better defense is beyond me. It certainly didn’t last year, when only five teams in the nation fielded worse defenses.

Then, however, Kines was brand new to Aggieland. The players claim Kines has now simplified the defense — sort of.

“It’s simpler because coach Kines is in his second year and we understand it because we’ve been through it,” pass-rusher Von Miller said. “He’s giving us a call and letting us play. The assignments aren’t as confusing as they were last year. Partly because this is our second year around coach Kines.”

“Have we got it right every time?” Kines wondered this week. “No, but we’re certainly working toward that way.”

nutznBolZ:The Aggies will scrimmage at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Kyle Field. If you attend, make sure and park in the parking garages to save yourself a parking ticket. … Converted defensive tackle Lucas Patterson continues working at offensive right tackle after spending the first week of camp at the all-important left tackle. Lee Grimes and Danny Baker have earned shots at left tackle since. … Sherman is still optimistic that junior-college cornerback Coryell Judie will earn entrance into A&M. No word on when.

 Tentative times for practice, open to A&M students, staff and former students, the rest of this week: